Access to Small and Hard to Get Loans

Whoever said, “It takes money to make money” was right! But it is not always easy to find that funding through conventional loans.  In this interactive panel discussion you will hear from the organizations that focus on loans and technical assistance for small start up companies that may be experiencing difficulties in securing start up and expansion capital.    

Joel Nania, Branch Manager
Small Business Administration - SBA

Joel has been with the SBA Spokane Branch since 2013. Prior to working for the SBA, Nania lead a successful 30-year career in business which culminated in 10 years as a business consultant working primarily with small closely held companies across a wide range of business types. Joel is a Wisconsin native but has lived in the Inland Northwest since 1981.  He received his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. 

Jasmin Garcia, Business Advisor
Business Impact NW

Jasmin Garcia is a Boots to Business Trainer and Business Advisor for Northwest Veteran Business Outreach Program (VBOC) at Business Impact NW. She provides coaching to veterans and their spouses to plan, start and grow their businesses. Jasmin is accredited by the Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants and has educational and professional experience in customer psychology, business management, business development, customer service relations and more. Jasmin started her own freelancing business years ago as a professional hair and makeup artist, a business she can perform from anywhere as her family travels from duty station to duty station. Jasmin a military spouse of over 13 years and has a passion for helping her military community thrive and follow their entrepreneurial aspirations which played a major part of her decision to be apart the VBOC team.

Ursula Sanson, Certified Business Advisor
Washington SBDC

Ursula Sanson is passionate about serving others, and through her you can expect to find empathetic, friendly and helpful advising sessions. She has over 15 years of experience consumer banking, and is best known for her skills in using consumer centered innovative processes for market development. She also ran a coffee shop chain focused on marketing and business strategy, innovation and financials, leading to growth from 11 to 21 stores in 3 years. Her cultural diversity comes from working with Citibank on projects for Central America and from the Brand development of the coffee shop chain doing business with South and North America. She speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

Ron Barkley, Chapter Chair
SCORE Spokane

Ron has spent 50 plus years in banking primarily making loans to start-ups and existing businesses. Ron has a background in reviewing financial statements and working with clients on how to interpret what their financial statements are trying to tell them and spent a number of years reviewing loan requests for SBA loans.